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CTE report: Mesquite ISD expands career pathways, reports increase in certifications and business partnerships
Summary
District CTE leaders reported increased industry-based certifications, growth in business partnerships and new programs (electronics, HVAC) developed with Dallas College and industry partners to expand student pathways into skilled jobs and dual-credit opportunities.
Mesquite ISD’s career and technical education director told trustees the district served 11,722 CTE students across 17 campuses last year and that students earned 4,394 industry-based certifications — a 7% increase over the prior year.
The director highlighted partnerships with Dallas College and Texas Instruments to expand electronics and semiconductor pathways and said CTE added an HVAC program that will yield college credit and a Level 1 certification for participating students. "It's our job to get kids jobs," the presenter told the board, describing on-campus instruction, practicums, dual-credit opportunities and employer partnerships that led to a 47% increase in business partnerships.
Trustees asked about scaling programs used at Vanguard to other campuses and the challenges posed by staffing and scheduling. The director said expanding CTE is constrained by staff capacity, classroom space and budgeting but emphasized work to add principles classes in middle grades and to broaden access to career pathways.
